MSPD News Releases

Missouri State Public Defender Requests Funding Following Release of DOJ Report

August 10, 2015 (Columbia, MO) – The Director of the Missouri State Public Defender, Michael Barrett, sent a letter to Governor Nixon on Friday requesting additional funding following the Department of Justice’s release of a report indicating that the constitutional rights of juveniles were being violated in St. Louis County due, in part, to the small number of public defenders and the enormous caseloads.

“We knew this was going on and so did the Governor and the Legislature.  The only difference now is that the Department of Justice called them on it,” said Director Barrett.

The following is a summary and a copy of the DOJ Report as well as a copy of Director Barrett’s letter to the Governor.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/641966/download

http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/641971/download

http://publicdefender.mo.gov/Newsfeed/Letter_to_Governor_Nixon_8-7-15.pdf

The Missouri State Public Defender provides legal representation throughout the state to indigent clients in criminal cases.  To learn more about the Missouri State Public Defender, visit: www.publicdefender.mo.gov.

For questions regarding this information, please contact:

Michael Barrett
Director and Public Information Officer
Telephone:  573-355-6030
Email:  michael.barrett@mspd.mo.gov